Co-founder of Summit School dies at 94
More than 40 years ago, an innovative teacher was sought to help two boys with learning disabilities. She used three basic principles - love, understanding and patience - to help create a school dedicated to students with special needs. Ruth Tofanelli became the co-founder of the Summit School in 1968. The devoted educator passed away last Tuesday at the age of 94.
She and her husband, Francis D. "Frank" Tofanelli, committed their lives to bettering the community.
They spent their time devoted to the Summit School, which recently consolidated its East Dundee and Elgin facilities in Elgin. Ruth spent her life educating the students and served as the principal and executive director for more than 30 years while Frank sat on the board.
The private school aims to enhance education with specific programs for students' special needs. More than 40 different school districts in northern Illinois send learning disabled students there to provide them with a specially designed curriculum. The classes help these students excel because the programs are made for their needs.
Ruth earned her bachelor's degree from the College of St. Francis and her master's degree from Northern Illinois University, both in education.
She and Frank lived in West Dundee for 52 years where they supported the Dundee Scots Marching Band Booster Club. Frank and Ruth also were dedicated members of St. Catherine of Siena Church in West Dundee.
Ruth was the daughter of the late John and Angelina (nee Marechall) Kerper. Survivors include their children, Ruthann (Jack) Sambo, Jim, John (Marge), Steven (Sue) and Barbie Tofanelli, their 10 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and friends. In addition to her husband, Ruth was preceded in death by two brothers, Ang and Jack Kerper, and three sisters, Bernice Lemieux, Kay (Ed) Lorenz and Connie (Vic) Grice.
Visitation will be held Tuesday before a funeral mass at 11 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church followed by a burial at River Valley Memorial Gardens, West Dundee. In lieu of flowers, the family asked for donations to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org, (800) 272-3900.